TORONTO — Amazon has apologized to India's foreign minister for selling doormats depicting the Indian flag on the online shopping giant's Canadian website.
The head of the retailer in India sent the apology to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday, according to a tweet by a ministry spokesperson.
The statement, which was posted on Twitter under the verified account of spokesperson Vikas Swarup, said Amazon is committed to respecting the laws and customs in India.
If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017
In India, insulting the national flag is punishable with fines and imprisonment.
Amit Agarwal, vice-president and country manager of Amazon India, said in a statement the company "regrets" the sale of the offending items, noting that they were offered by a third-party seller in Canada.
Indian High Commission in Canada : This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level. https://t.co/L4yI3gLk3h
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017
"At no time did we intend or mean to offend Indian sentiments," Agarwal said.
Minister Swaraj had lashed out on Tuesday at Amazon on Twitter, threatening to deny Indian visas to any Amazon employees if the company did not apologize and "withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately."
"If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant an Indian visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the visas issued earlier," Swaraj tweeted.
Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017
"At not time did we intend or mean to offend Indian sentiments," it said.
The Canadian third-party seller — which also sells mats with other national flags, including the U.S., U.K. and Canada — removed the Indian-themed product, following Swaraj's Twitter threat.
Swaraj had also ordered the embassy in Canada to take up the matter with Amazon "at the highest level."
Arun Kumar Sahu, acting High Commissioner of India to Canada, said the situation has now been resolved.
When asked if the embassy will pursue any further action, Sahu said from Ottawa there wouldn't be anything to follow. "At least I don't have any instructions on this," he added.
The doormats had outraged many people among the Indian diaspora in Canada, who posted pictures of them on social media and urged the foreign minister to formally object.
Last year, there were protests after the online marketplace offered doormats depicting Hindu gods.
A spokesperson for Amazon Canada declined to provide any additional comment.
MORE National ARTICLES
Extreme Wyoming cold frosts even Moscow Ballet
CASPER, Wyo. — It got so cold in Wyoming, even the Moscow Ballet couldn't move.
Extreme Wyoming cold frosts even Moscow Ballet
Deadly Synthetic Opioid Carfentanil Seized In Toronto For 1st Time, Police Say
TORONTO — Police in Toronto say they've made their first confirmed seizure of the deadly drug carfentanil.
Deadly Synthetic Opioid Carfentanil Seized In Toronto For 1st Time, Police Say
Long-Awaited Canada Border Bill Moves Ahead In U.S. Congress
A bill to simplify crossing the Canadian-U.S. border moved ahead in the American Congress on Wednesday, with little time left to get it passed before lawmakers break to form a post-election legislature in the New Year.
Long-Awaited Canada Border Bill Moves Ahead In U.S. Congress
Canada To Buy 16 Military Rescue Planes From Airbus For $2.3 Billion
Public Procurement Minister Judy Foote and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan made the announcement in CFB Trenton this morning.
Canada To Buy 16 Military Rescue Planes From Airbus For $2.3 Billion
Premiers To Push PM On Health Transfers Over Dinner After Climate Talks Wrap Up
"We want to talk about health care," Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said Wednesday, pointing out that the first ministers meeting beginning Thursday in Ottawa is the second such gathering devoted to curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Premiers To Push PM On Health Transfers Over Dinner After Climate Talks Wrap Up
Medical Clinic Collects Too Much Personal Info Through Surveillance: B.C. Audit
Acting privacy commissioner Drew McArthur says an audit of the clinic in the Lower Mainland was the first of a private business in B.C. and began after a complaint was filed.